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MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE Simon Coveney has said he is “confident” that Irish beef will be sold in shops in the United States by autumn this year.
However, it is still pending approval by the US government’s agriculture department.
Speaking at the end of a four-day mission to Washington, he said that Ireland’s grass-based farm model was a “key theme” to create a point of difference for Irish produce.
“Following a significant diplomatic and technical effort, we have made real progress on obtaining access for Irish beef to the US,” Coveney said.
Subject to a forthcoming audit of Irish beef plants by USDA going as expected; I am confident that Irish beef can be on US retail shelves by early Autumn this year.
After that, sights will be set on gaining access to the US market for sheepmeat.
Coveney met with a number of government officials during the trip to outline “ambitious plans” for the agri-food sector.
The minister has faced criticism from opposition TDs, who believe he should ‘tackle the beef crisis at home and in the EU’.
In a statement this evening, Sinn Féin agriculture spokesperson Martin Ferris said the “crisis in the beef industry has caused hardship and stress among producers recently and it seems that the government and Minister Simon Coveney are happy to let the market rule”.
“The problem is that the market can be manipulated by the beef barons and by the large multiple retailers who change specification and introduce penalties at will, while the minister sits on his hands,” he said. Ferris announced that his party is organising a meeting with been farmers and dealers in the beef industry in an attempt to find solutions to the ‘crisis facing the industry’.
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I thought the questions would be about the 1980s cartoon series… Very disappointing 1.
@Rafa C: my brain can’t help but sing it now!!!
@Rafa C: OK, what was the name of the original Japanese Anima? In Japanese for bonus points….
I’m sure he’s brilliant but I can’t make head nor tail of his writing.
@Bert Carolan: Try Dubliners, I found it the most accessible one. I couldn’t get far into Ulysses.
@John Smith: anyone who claims to have read Ulysses is a narcissist and up their own A. I know because my excuse for a Dad apparently did.
@Donna Fallon: absolute rubbish. The idea is ludicrous
@Donna Fallon: how many cats have you
@John D Doe: I’m more of a dog person TBH John.
@Donna Fallon: BS, I read it 5 times because it referred to many places I knew as a child. It’s very hard going at times but I loved the way Joyce painted old Dublin, unfortunately many places have disappeared or are unrecognisable nowadays.
I could have sworn he was buried in Paris.
Fantastic writer / poet, bazaar reading, and history at times. 11/12 ain’t bad. Quizzical fellow.
9 / 12
Surprised myself
Some man for the love letters.
I know it’s taken my birthday. d4amn you joyce
@edw: Happy Birthday EDW. Happy birthday to you
@Paul Somers: cheers.
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